Mali Army Claims Dozens of Militants Killed in Base Attack

Malian soldiers killed dozens of militants during an attack on a military base in the town of San on Sunday, according to authorities. The jihadist group Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), affiliated with al-Qaeda, claimed responsibility for the assault, stating its fighters briefly took control of the base.

The army acknowledged fierce fighting but disputed claims that control of the base was ceded. Lt Col El Oumrani, commander of the 23rd regiment in the San garrison, stated in a video that "around 40 terrorists were eliminated" and that the base remained under army control. He urged residents to remain vigilant, asserting that his soldiers "had not gone anywhere."

Witnesses told French broadcaster RFI that the attack began around 5:00 a.m. local time and lasted approximately two hours. The assailants reportedly arrived on motorcycles and on foot, with some disguised in army uniforms to infiltrate the base. One witness described militants entering the camp and holding it "for a long time before leaving."

Security and local sources cited by AFP reported that at least 10 soldiers were killed in the clashes, and that the assailants briefly took over the camp. The army informed national broadcaster ORTM that militants utilized drones, heavy machine guns, and armored vehicles to breach the perimeter.

Mali has been contending with insurgencies for over a decade, with large portions of the north and east remaining outside government control. In April, coordinated nationwide attacks by the Azawad Liberation Front, an alliance of jihadists and separatist rebels, sought to destabilize the military regime. During those attacks, Defense Minister Sadio Camara was killed in a suicide truck bombing near the capital, Bamako.

JNIM has expanded its operations beyond northern Mali, targeting central and southern regions, indicating an increased capacity to penetrate Malian territory despite ongoing military operations. Following a 2020 coup, Mali ended its reliance on French military assistance and turned to Russia for security support.